The origins of Tenix go back to 1956, when Transfield was founded by two Italian-born engineers, Carlo Salteri and Franco Belgiorno-Nettis. They went on to build one of Australia's most successful construction companies.
The company's growth and diversification resulted from hardwork and dedication, aided by a booming Australian economy. From a business involving mostly power and gas pipelines, the company expanded to building bridges, manufacturing aircrafts, construction and fabrication.
In 1987, the company diversified into defence at the initiative of then Joint Managing Director, Paul Salteri. This initiative culminated in the purchase of a company known as AMEC, which had successfully bid for the Naval Dockyard at Williamstown, Victoria.
The company re-established a naval shipbuilding capability in Australia with the successful construction of two FFG7 - Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy. It was later awarded the ANZAC Ship Project contract, for 10 ANZAC class frigates, eight for the Royal Australian Navy and two for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
In 1997, the Transfield Group was split into the infrastructure and defence businesses. The Belgiorno-Nettis family maintained the Transfield infrastructure business. With their defence interests, the Salteri family retained their involvement in this sector of the Transfield Group. Tenix Pty Limited was established to hold the Defence assets.
The Tenix Group began a systematic process of diversification with the acquisition of Hawker de Havilland (an aerostructures manufacturer) in 1998 and Enetech from TXU Australia in 1999.
Enetech was a leading engineering and maintenance contractor with capabilities and experience servicing the needs of electricity, gas and water asset owners. Enetech was renamed Tenix Alliance Pty Ltd in July 2001.
Tenix's capabilities were subsequently boosted by the acquisition of ESI's business assets, Powerco's New Zealand and Queensland field services businesses, Shaw Group Australia, Atomic Power, C&S Powerlines, Bremner Holdings and, most recently, leading New Zealand mechanical engineering company, Robt Stone.
In 2000, Tenix Defence finalised the purchase of Vision System's defence businesses, Vision Abell and LADS Corporation. Later that year Tenix sold Hawker de Havilland to Boeing.
In 2007, Carlo Salteri AC stepped down as Chairman of the Group. He was succeeded by his son, the former Group Manager, Paul Salteri. Mr Carlo Salteri remains a non-executive Director. The family appointed a new Group Managing Director and CEO, Mr Greg Hayes.
In January 2008 Tenix agreed the sale of Tenix Defence to BAE Systems Australia Limited; the sale was completed in June 2008. Tenix also divested its 50% ownership of RLM Holdings to Lockheed Martin in August 2008.
Today Tenix Group Pty Limited still runs substantial operations with businesses in infrastructure services and parking and traffic solutions.